Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-16
FOR SUBURBAN IMPROVEMENT.
Representatives of the County Before
the Senate Appropriations Committee.

DIR. W. w. Godding, George Truesdell +. II.
Smith, Edward Temple. Gen. Ellis Spear, g. T.
Suit, ii. a. Grfswold, {. h. Calvert, B. ii. Warner
Spencer Watkins, and other gentlemen represent
ing the committee recently appointed TO represent
the interests or property owners In the county
fore Congress- appeared yesterday afternoon before
the District subcommittee OF the Senate appropri-
ations committee. Dr. Goddlng, as chairman Of
the committee OF flrteer., presented TO the sub
committee petition urging the restoration OF the
Items IN the District appropriation bill for sub
House. Mr.. Truesiell addressed the committee,
explaining the needs or the suburban sections.
The petition urges the justice and propety of in
creasing the amount appropriated for .'currenJ
work on county roads &c from $40 900 TO s75 600,
OF restoring the items OF $4,000 for suburban
sewerage, and OF $4,000 for extending suburban
roads and streets The petition represents
that the proyiso appended by the House
To the appropriation OF $4,000 for ''current work
on county roads. that the Tenleytown, 7th street
and Bladensburg roads and proposed Pennsylya-
MIA avenue bridge roads shall ali be completed 10
the District line before any portion OF the appro-
priation can be expended elsewhere, will absorb
the entire amount OF the appropriation, leaving
nothing whatever available for the repair and
maintenance OF 100 mil,-s OF other county roads.
exclusive OF many miles or suburban streets and
clearing such important suburbs Anacostia, Je
Droit park, Columbia heights, Mount Pleasant,
Lanler heights and Washington heights which are
taxed at full city rates without dollar for street
improvements Sixty per cent OF the entire county
tax, amounting Tor 1867 To SsS gS2, the petition
says Il paid 10y that portion OF the District lying
contiguous with the city. The petition asks for
the item OF So 900 for suburban sewerage sani-
taIy grounds and as a matter OF right. They say
they have paid annual taxes for many years at
ban rates out ol whicneX pensye stem OF sewerage
In the city has In part been constructed while tho
suburbs are entirely without any sewerage at all
except as provided IA a very imperfect way BY
private enterprise. table Is given showing the
relative amount or taxable property, compared
with that OF different sections of the city as fol-
lows: Georgetown, <4015,21 northwest, x7s, ,525,
6S1; southwest, S6.366, 80; southeast 50 l9l 1876;
northeast, a. yS6,s0S county, $7,170015 IL thus
appears That the amount OF taxes paid by the
county annually, out OF which has been taken fts
| pro rata part OF the appropriation for sinking
fund, besides annual appropriation for sewers In
the city, is considerably In OF those paid by
georgetown or the northeast section and about
equal 10 the amounts paid by the great southwest
and southeast sections of the city. The widening
and Strengthening OF some OF the more important
suburban roads and streets, the petition says and
the opening OF new ones In some cases are abso-
lutely necessary 10 enable even beginning TO be
made In system VI sewerage and inter.
communications so much needed In the popu-
lous suburban centerS. This can now b0
done at very little cost In many OF the more I'm.
poItant streets, the owners in many instances
having signified their willingness TO donate the
ground required for the purpose, but which they
are prevented from doing by an occasional OBJ
structfonist or small holder who either will not
or cannot afford 10 give the right or way. The
moderate sum asked for with which 70 pay the
cost or condemnation I'm such cases would, IL
granted TO the public valuable donations ot
ground. which year or two later can only he
quired at great expense, on account OF the large
number or buildings which Will obstruct the way.